People have been speculating that robots and automation will completely replace the need for human workers in a number of different occupations. Typically these concerns have been reserved for manual labor, jobs that consist of tedious, repetitive tasks, or work that would subject humans to dangerous work environments.
The introduction of industrial machines in manufacturing is a prime example. Robots are able to work faster, more precisely, and more cost effectively than human workers. Industrial machinery also helps limit human exposure to dangerous work environments. We specialize in Indramat motion control systems, so we are quite familiar with this type of automation.
The manufacturing sector has become increasingly automated over the last couple of centuries, and it’s feasible to think that human workers might not be need for manufacturing in the future. Automation isn’t limited to manufacturing, however. The number of jobs that have become automated over the years continues to grow, and advancements in automation technology suggest that this trend won’t be slowing down soon.
Recent speculations suggest that IT jobs could soon be automated. You have to admit that there’s a certain irony in the thought of computers automating IT jobs, but is this a realistic concern?
While some IT workers believe that robotic automation will replace IT jobs, there are others that disagree. There is concern, however, about how robotic automation could increase the workload in the immediate future. This seems counter-intuitive. Automation is supposed to make things easier for people, right?
Apparently, IT groups have been resisting automation not because they fear for their job security, but because they dread the additional work and complications that automation would introduce. The thought is that automation would require a number of changes and updates to account for security concerns and compatibility issues with current systems and procedures. According to one professional, these fears are off-base, and merely a resistance to change.
There has been resistance to automation in manufacturing over the course of history, ranging from a mistrust of machines to a fear for losing work. Ultimately industrial automation has turned out to be a good thing, and while manufacturing and IT are two very different types of work, the benefits of automation are universal.